Single-trigger mechanism for firearms.



vPanama nec. 3|, 190|,

E. DE` Loma. l SINGLE TRIGGEB MECHANISM FOR FIREARMS.

(Applicati'on led May 31, 1801.)

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(No Model.)

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' SNGLE TRIGGER MECHAN'ISM FOR FIREARMS.

y(Application led May 31. 1901.)

(lq Modal.) 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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UNITED,- STATES PATENT -Frrca CHARLES E. DE LONG, O'F HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS, ASSIGNOR TO REM- INGTON ARMS COMPANY, OF ILION, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

-SINGLE-TRIGGER lVlECHANlSlVI FOR FIREARNIS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 690,243, dated December 31, 1901- Application filed May 31, 1901. SerialNo. 625597. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, CHARLES E. DE LONG, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Hot Springs, in the county 0f Garland, State of Arkansas, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Single-Trigger Mechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it ap-V pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure lis a side elevational view of a portion of a gun provided with my improved singletrigger mechanism. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isa sectional View on4 line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an elevational view as seen' from the opposite side. Fig. 5 is a sectional View on line 5 5, Fig. 4. Figs. 6, '7, and 8 are detail views showing the parts in different positions.

This invention relates to a new and4 useful improvement in sin gle-trigger mechanism for guns having a plurality of barrels, one object being to enable the operator to successively release or trip the firing mechanism bythe manipulation of a single mechanism in the form of a trigger.

Another object of this invention is to provide means to take care of what is known as the involuntary pull on the trigger, which frequently occurs immediately after the discharge of the shell or cartridge from one barrel when the operator manipulates the trigger with what is termed a stiffiinger ordoes not immediately upon pulling the trigger relax the pressure of'his finger on the same, which involuntary pull might result in tiring the second barrel in quick succession.

With these objects in view the invention consistsin the arrangement, construction, and combination of the several parts of my improved single-trigger mechanism, alias will hereinafterbe more fully described and afterward pointed out-in the claims.

In the drawings I haveshown in Figs. l, 2, V, and 4 my improved single-trigger mechanism asvapplied -to aiwell-known form of firing mechanism, whichv'latter is illustrated solely for the purpose of showing the application of my device to a well-known construction; but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates that the improved single trigger mechanism hereinafter described can be applied to any form of firing lmechanism, and therefore I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the partielllar form of firing mechanism shown.

In the drawings, A indicates what is known as the frame, B the barrels, C the lifter arranged in the fore extension of the frame, D the hammer, E the sear, F the mainspring, G the trigger-tumbler, H the thu mb-piece, I the tang, and .I the tcpI lever, all of said parts being practically of the usual and well-known construction of the firearm commonly called a double-barrel hammerless shotgun.

The general construction and operation of a double-barrel hamm erless shotgun are well understood, and a detailed description here is hardly necessary, but for purposes of eX- planation may be brieflydescribed as follows: The gun shownis of the breakdown type, and upon the release of the barrel-locking mechanism by the manipulation of the top lever J the barrels swing on a pivot, (not shown,) which in addition to actuating the ejecting mechanism in general also sets in motion the cooking mechanism, of which the lifter C, cooperatingewith the forwardly-projecting end of the" hammer D, forms a part. When one or both barrels of the gun have been tired and it is desired to reload the gun, the top lever J is moved laterally, usually to the right, which movement unlocks the barrels, allowing them to swing on their pivot-point and eject or extract the shells, as the case may be, after which new shells may be inserted in the barrels. This movement also cocks the hammers of the gun, and simultaneously with the unlocking of the barrels the safety attachment is actuated, to which safety attachment is connected the thumb-piece H. This safety attachment is actuated by the barrel-'locking bolt K, directly operated by the top lever J,

which bolt moves rearwardly when the lever is manipulated. A rocking lever L, suitably pivoted to a projection A, formed on or secured to the frame A, and whose lower end is provided with a transversely-disposed pin IOO Z, is designed to cooperate with a projection on the trigger-tumbler and prevent its upward movement when the gun is in a safe position. A bar M, pivotally connected to the upper end of the lever L, has its outer or free end directly in the path of movement of (and is designed to be struck by) the bolt K. The extreme upper end of this rocking lever L cooperates with two projections Z and Z", depending from and secured to the thu mb-piece H, for actuating the latter, lthe projection Z" 1oeing provided with a laterally-disposed pin Z'", which cooperates with a leafspring t', mounted upon the tang I, the object of which is to hold said thumb-piece in its extreme forward or rearward positions in order to prevent accidental movement of the same.

It will thus be seen from the above and from an inspection of Figs. l, 2, and 3 of the drawings that when the barrels of the gun have been swung on their pivot in the opening movement thehammers will have been cocked and the gun brought to a safe position, and after the barrels have been closed and locked in their position for firing the hammers will still remain cocked; but the locking-bolt K will have moved forwardly away from the free end of the bar M, so that when it is desired to lire the gun the thumb-piece H is moved forwardly and through the instrumentality of the vprojections Z and Z" moves the upper end of the lever L and the bar M forwardly and the lower end of said lever L and its carried pin rearwardly out of the pathof movement of the project-ion formed on the trigger-tumbler G and permit of the upper movement of the latter.

N indicates a stepping Sear-controller, as it might be termed, and O and O/ springs coperating therewith. The trigger-tumbler G is provided with steps or notches for coperating with the scar-controller N, as will hereinafter be described. \Vith reference to this trigger-tumbler G, I will hereinafter refer to the same as the primary trigger-tumbler and its companion G' as the secondary tumbler.

The primary trigger-tumbler G is pivoted to a block or bearing a", formed on the frame Aof the gun, and is designed to have its web portion move through a slot cZ'", formed in said frame, the finger portion of said primary trigger-tumbler being located below said frame, as is usual. Formed in the upper edge and near the rear end of the web portion of this primary trigger-tumbler G is a series of notches or steps, which I have numbered l and 2, and projecting rearwardly over the notch 2 is formed an overhanging projection 3, the purpose of which will be presently eX- plained.

The stepping scar-controller N, which cooperates with the notches or steps in or on the primary trigger-tumbler just described, consists of a horizontal strip of metal n, provided with a downwardly extending portion n', which is formed at its lower end with a forwardly-bent portion n". n" indicates a step or projection formed on the under side of the top member of this stepping Sear-controller, which when the stepping Sear-controller is in its normal position coperates with the bridgepost a4. In order to hold and guide this stepping gear-controller in place in the performance of its work, I have made use of the screw or bolt P employed in guns of this design to stiften and tie together the frame of the gun and the tang, said screw P passing through the slot n4 and being secured to the bridge w1.

It will be observed from the drawings that the springs O and O', which cooperate with the stepping Sear-controller, are so located that their tension is exerted to force said stepping Sear-controller forwardly and downwardly at all times.

Vhile I have referred in the above to the primary trigger-tumbler only and its carried notches or steps, I will here state that there are two trigger-tumblers and that in the constructionillustratedIhave omitted the fingerprojection on the second or left barrel trigger-tumbler,wl1ich I have termed the secondary7 tumbler and which I will now designate as G. The finger portion of this secondary trigger-tumblerG' can, if desired, be retained. When only one trigger-tumbler is provided with the finger portion, the barrel controlled by that trigger-tumbler will always bethe first to be tired; but when both tumblers retain their finger portions that trigger tumbler which is first pulled will fire the barrel which it directly controls and then without removing the finger from that trigger-tumbler the other barrel can be fired by proper manipulation of the same. This secondary trigger-tumbler G is provided with notches or steps and the overhanging projection, precisely the same as the steps or notches l and 2 and the overhanging projection 3 of the primary trigger-tumbler G, and is preferably made with the same dies as is said trigger-tumbler G. When said notches and said overhanging projection of said secondary trigger-tumbler G are referred to hereinafter, they will be designated as la and 2L and the overhanging projection as 3a.

The construction and operation of the triggers, sears, and hammers of a gun of this type are so well known that I deem it unnecessary to give a detailed description of the same here; but for the sake of clearness I will mention that the sears, both left and right, cooperate with the primary triggertumbler G and the secondary tumbler G', respectively, in the same manner as they do with the triggers in any double-trigger gunto wit., the upward movement of the triggers or tumblers causes the operation of the sears and effects the tripping of the hammers.l

I will now describe the operation of my improved singletrigger mechanism. and 4 represent the parts as they appear after the gun has been cocked and in apposition ready to bc fired, and in which it will be ob- IIO served that the primary trigger-tumbler is in shoulder n" is resting against one side of said bridge a4, and thereby arrests forward longitudinal movement of said stepping searcontroller. The bent portion n is seated in the notches or steps 1 and l of the primary trigger-tumbler G and secondary tumbler G', respectively. f When the primary triggertumbler G is pulled and moves upwardly, as shown in Fig. 6, the sear controlled by said trigger-tumbler will be actuated and release the hammer and tire the shell in one barrel, (in this instance the right-,) and simultaneously with this movement the stepping searcontroller Will be forced upwardly until its shoulder n!" rises above the bridge a4, whereupon the spring O will be in readiness when thetrigger descends, and the Sear-controller descends underthe'pressure exerted by the spring O until the shoulder n'" is arrested on top of the bridge a4, and the bent portion n is disengaged from the recess 1 to exert its pressure to move the stepping scar-controller longitudinally and forwardly. The parts are now in the position shown in Fig. 7, it being vunderstood that in the above-mentioned movement the secondary tumbler G remains undisturbed and that the bent portion n lWill be raised out of the step la. When pressure on the trigger-tumbler G is relaxed and the same approaches its normalposition, thestepping scar-controller will descend until the downward movement of the latter is arrested bythe contact of the Vunder face of the shoulder '11' with the bridge a4, as above described but at this stage the trigger-tumbler has not completed itsfull return movement, and in doing so the notch or step l of said triggertumblcr moves away from the bent portion n" and the spring O forces said stepping searcontroller in the properdirection to cause the bent portion n to register With and become engaged by the recesses 2 and 2a, re-

.spectively, of the trigger-tumblers G and G.

The first barrel of the gun has now been fired, and by the construction shown in the accompanying drawings provision is made to takecare of the involuntary pull due to the recoil of the gun. f J

The mechanism employed for taking care of the involuntary pull consists of an escapement movement connected to the steppingv Sear-controller for retarding its action after becoming disengaged from the primary trigger-tumbler and before engagingthe secondarytumbler. As shown in Figs. l to 4, inclusive, the stepping scar-controller carries a pivoted drag-pawl n5,whieh cooperates with a ratchet-wheel p.' This ratchet-wheelv is mounted for the sake of convenience upon a shaft arranged in the projection ct, its axis of rotation being coincident With that of the lever L, t-hus enabling the employment of a common pivot-shaft for this ratchet-Wheel and lever. Conjoined to the ratchet-wheel is the gear p', which meshes with a pinion p, the shaft on said pinion carrying an escapement-wheel p". p4 indicates a vibrating escapement dragpawl, one end of which is preferably weighted, said drag-pawl coperating with the escapement-wheel. A spring ne cooperates with the drag-pawl 'a5 to hold the same in an operative position with respect to its ratchet-Wheel.

Referring now to Fig. 6, Where the primary trigger-tumbler is raised, it Will be observed that the drag-pawl p5 has slightly advancedabout the distance of one tooth of the wheel p. When the gun is fired, the recoil follows instantly after the explosion` of the charge, and it is at this time that the Yinvoluntary pull occurs. However, it will be noticed that the primary trigger-tumbler is elevated and the stepping scar-controller is still in engagement therewith. As the trigger is released the tumbler G descends and the step n" rests on the bridge a4, causing the stepping searcontroller to be disengaged from the primary trigger -tumbler. The stepping sear-controller is now in a position to move forwardly under the "shoulders 3 and 3a, under the action of its impelling-spring O, but is unable to do so quickly by reason of the restraining influence exerted by the drag-pawl engaging` `the ratchet-wheel p. Through the instrumentality of the escapement-train the escapement-dog must be vibrated a sufficient number of .times to permit the train to rotate to a position Where the drag-pawl m5 is released from engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel and permits the stepping searcontroller to seat itself home under the projections 3 and 3fLL in its final movement, said final movement being free from restraint on thel part of the escapement-train. When in this position, (shown in Fig. 7,) the manipulation of the trigger will, through the primary trigger-tumbler, lift the stepping searc-ontroller, which will in turn by its engagement under the shoulder 3 lift the secondary tumbler and tire the left barrel. When the gun is broken for the purpose of reloading, the bolt K engages the bar M for the purposes hereinbefore described and also the forward end of the stepping scar-controller, restoring said stepping scar-controller to its normal position, and in so doing resetting the drag-pawl 'm5, as shown.

q indicates a pivoted lever, carrying a projection or finger q', Which is designed to be thrown into and out of the path of the vibrating escapement-pawl. When this finger is in the path of the vibrating escapement-pawl, as shown in Fig. l, it will be obvious that said pawl cannot vibrate, and consequently the escapement-train will not operate. The stepping Sear-controller will not bepermitted. to move forward to the full limit of its move-` ment, but Will be held in what might be termed a half-Way7 position by reason of the engagement of the drag-pawl 715 with the .IIO

ratchet-wheel p. In this position (shown in Fig. 8) the right barrel alone can be fired, and when the trigger is released the stepping searcontroller moves forward slightly, but not under the shoulder 3, and consequently a successive pull on the trigger will elevate only the primary trigger-tumbler. When it is desired to fire both barrels successively by successive pulls of the trigger, the finger q is moved out of the path of the vibrating escapement-pawl, so that the escapement-train can operate, as before described. The finger q' is only employed for saving the wear on the escapement-lrain in the event that it is desired to repeatedly re one barrel-say the right.

It will be noticed that in the event of an involuntary pull immediately succeeding the discharge of the first load the elevation or pari tial elevation of the primary trigger-tumbler will prevent the extension n entering nnder the shoulder 3, as shown in Fig. 8. The trigger and its connected tumbler must be in a full forward position before the extension on the stepping sear-controller can engage the shoulder 3a. This engagement depends upon the operation of the escapement-train, which can be so adjusted as to operate rapidly orslowly, as required. In practicel have found that the train should be adjusted so as to prevent the stepping sear-controller from en gaging the secondary tumbler while there is any liability of the recoil from the first discharge to cause an involuntary pull and successively fire the second barrel regardless of the intention of the operator; but this adj ustment of the train, while carrying the stepping searcontroller slowly over what might be termed an inoperative position, must not be such as to interfere with the firing of the second barrel at the will of the operator. So far as the construction and operation of the stepping sear-controller are concerned, it is similar to that shown and described in United States Letters Patent No. 670,100, granted to me March 19, 1901.

The retarding device which I use is yieldable, as distinguished from being positive in its operation, and operates upon the sear-controller while the latter is in continuous n10- tion,and in these respects it differs from a searcontrolling device such as that shown in my said prior patent, where the sear-controller is positively arrested in its forward movement before it reaches the position for firin g the second barrel. Thesear-controllerisnotstopped by the retarding device, which would require an intermediate pull of the trigger to free the sear-controller; but rather the speed of its forward movement is reduced without being stopped. It will be observed, however, that in the preferred form of retarding device, such as has been described, it ceases to act just before the sear-controller arrives at the forward limit of its movement, so that the speed of the sear-controller is accelerated or is unrestrained during the final portion of its forward movement.

The above construction by repeated practical tests has been found to respond to ordinary conditions, so far as taking care of the involuntary pull caused by the explosion of the charge first fired. There are, however, causes which operate independently of the trigger mechanism which might result in the discharge of the second barrel independently of the involuntary pull of the operator-as, for instance, in breaking the gun the forward end of the sear might but slightly engage the hammer, so that a shock orjar would release the hammer, or if the gun was fully broken to cock the hammers the shoulders on the hammers might be so worn as to render them extremely sensitive, and a slight shock or jar would cause them to explode. As a precautionary measure to avoid the firing of the second barrel I provide means for locking the sear of the firing mechanism for the second barrel against accidental displacement, which locking mechanism is under control of the stepping sear-controller and is operated to release the sear in the second firing mechanism only after the involuntary pull resulting from the iirst barrel has occurred and after the stepping sear-controller is in operative engagement with the secondary tumbler. This locking mechanism consists of a lever R, which is pivoted, preferably, in the upper forward edge of the bridge a4, the lower end of said lever being provided with a shouldered recess engaging the tail of the sear, which cooperates with the secondarytumbler. A spring r holds the lower end of this lever normally in engagement with the sear when said sear is in its normal or lowered position. The upper end of the lever is received in a recess or slot nl in the stepping sear-controller and is designed to be struck by the end wall of said recess or slot at the final forward movement of the steppin gsear-controller just as the bent portion of said stepping sear-controller is entering the recess 2f under the projection 3a. The operation of this lock is as follows: Should the sear, with which the locking-lever R cooperates, be elevated, the breaking of the gun will first restore the stepping searcontroller, after which the hammers will be cocked and the tail of the sear depressed. In its depressed position it is located under the lower end of the locking-lever. Consequently it is impossible to operate the sear and fire the second barrel when the lower end of lever R is in this forward position. When the rst barrel is fired, the sear-controller, as above described, moves forward, and just as the bent portion passes under the shoulder 3a the rear wall of the recess orslot m7 engages the upper end of the lever R, so as to disengage said locking-lever from the sear in the tiring mechanism of the second barrel. The second barrel can now be fired, as before described. It will be obvious that instead o f IOO IIO

havingfthe locking-lever R cooperate with the sear sald locking-lever can cooperate with the tumbler G', if the scar is apart thereof; but

Where the searv is separately movable I prefer to have the locking-lever act directly upon the sear.

I am aware that `minor changes in the arrangement, construction, and combination of -theseveral parts of my device can be made and substituted for those herein shown and described Without in the least departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire tol secure by Letters Patent, is f A' l. In a single-trigger mechanism, the combination With a primary trigger-tumbler, of a secondary tumbler, a steppingsear-controller, and means for retarding Without stopping the movement of said stepping Sear-controller after the same has Vbecome disengaged from the primary trigger-tumbler and before it engages the secondary tumbler; substantially as described.

2. In a singleetrigger mechanism, the combination with a primary trigger tumbler formed with a shoulder l, of a secondary trigger-tumbler formed with a shoulder 1a and recesses 2a, and a shoulder 3a, a stepping searcontroller cooperating with said tumblers, a spring for moving said stepping scar-controller, and an escapement-train connected to said stepping searcontroller; substantially as described. Y y

.3. In a single-trigger mechanism, the combination With a primary trigger-tumbler, of

.a secondary trigger-tumbler, a stepping searcontroller, a spring for moving said Sear-controller when disengaged Vfrom the primary trigger-tumbler, into engagement with the secondary tumbler, and mechanism for rerl! I5 gli tarding the scar-controller While'in continu'- ous movement; substantially as described.

` 4. In a single-trigger mechanism, the combination with the primary trigger-tumbler, of a secondarytumbler, a stepping scar-controller, a spring for moving the latter, a dragpavvl pivotally mounted on said stepping searcontroller,and an escapement-train including a ratchet-Wheel which cooperates with said drag-pawl; substantially as described.

5. In a single-trigger mechanism, the combination with the primary trigger-tumbler, of the secondary tumbler, a stepping scar-controller cooperating therewith, a spring coop# erating with said stepping scar-controller, a drag-pawl carried by said scar-controller, an escapement-train including a ratchet-Wheel which cooperates with said drag-pawl and means arranged to free the drag-pawl from the teeth of the ratchet before the scar-controller completes its forward movement; substantially asdescribed.

6. .In a single-trigger mechanism, the com- .bination With a plurality of firing mechanisms, including hammers and sears, of tumblers cooperating with the respective sears, a

step pin g Sear-controller cooperating with said tumblers, means for retarding the forward movement of the scar-controller arranged to act While the controller is moving forward,

withoutstopping the controller; and a barrelried by the scar-controller for engaging the Y escapement mechanism, a spring cooperating with the Sear-controller for moving the same forwardly and operating the escapement mechanism, and a barrel-locking mechanism for resetting the scar-controller and storing energy in the spring which actuates the same and the escapeinent-train; substantially as described.

8. In a double-barrel, breakdown gun, the combination with the hammers, sears, top lever and slidable bolt K, of a primary triggertumbler for cooperating with one hammerand Sear, a secondary tumbler for cooperating Withthe other hammer and sear, said primary trigger-tumbler and said secondary tumbler being each provided with a series of notches or steps, an independently-operable stepping sear controllerv for cooperating with said notches in said primary trigger-tumbler and said secondary tumbler and vconnecting said tumblers together when said stepping searcontrollerfis in certain positions aspring for forcing said stepping sear.- controller forwardly when the same is released by the proper manipulation of the primary triggertumbler in the performance of its Work, the free or outer end of said stepping scar-controller being located directly in the path of movement of, and designed to be struck by,

l the bolt K in its rearward movement, When the top lever is properly manipulated to unlock the barrels of the gun, and means for controlling the speed of movement of the stepping scar-controller after it is released by the primary trigger-tumbler, and before it.l

engagesthesecondarytumbler; substantially as described.

9. In a single-trigger mechanism, the combination with the tumblers and stepping searcontroller, of an escapement-train for 'controlling the movement of said stepping sear-4 controller, said escapement-train including a vibrating pawl, and a lever carrying a projection designed to be placed into or out of the path of said vibrating pawl; substantially as described. y

lO. In a single-trigger mechanism, the cornbination with a primary trigger-tumbler, of a secondary tri gger-tum bler,sears cooperating Withsaid tumblers, a stepping Sear-controller, and a lock for said secondary tumbler which is operated by said scar-controller; substantially as described.

ICO

1l. In asingle-trigger mechanism, the combination with primary and secondary tumblers and their sears, of a stepping scar-controller, and a locking-lever coperating with the sear of the secondary tumbler, said locking-lever being operated by the scar-controller; substantially as described.

12. In asingle-trigger mechanism, the combination with a trigger, of tumblers operated thereby, a stepping Sear-controller, means for retarding the movement of said stepping Sear-controller after passing out of engagement With one tumbler and into engagement with the other, and mechanism for locking said last-mentioned tumbler, said locking mechanism being operated to release said tumbler when the stepping scar-controller is completing its movement; substantially as described.

13. In asingle-trigger mechanism, the combination With the primary trigger-tumbler, of a secondary tumbler, a stepping Sear-controller, a spring-pressed locking-lever R for cooperating with the scar of the secondary tumbler, and a shoulder on the stepping searcontroller for engaging the locking-lever when the stepping scar-controller is completing its forward movement; substantially as described.

14. In asingle-trigger mechanism, the combination with a primary trigger-tumbler, of a secondary tumbler, a stepping Sear-controller, means for retarding the movement of said stepping sear-controller after the same has become disengaged from the primary trigger-tumbler and before it engages the secondary tumbler, and a lock for the sear controlled by the secondary tumbler, said .lock being operated by the stepping Sear-controller; substantial-ly as described.

I5. In a single-trigger mechanism, the combination with a primary trigger-tumbler, of a secondary trigger-tumbler, a stepping searcontroller, a spring for moving said Sear-controller when disengaged from the primary trigger-tumbler into engagement with the secondary tumbler, mechanism for retarding said movement,a spring-pressed locking-lever cooperating with the sear of the secondary tumbler, and a shoulder on the stepping searcontroller for engaging said locking-lever when the scar-controller is completingits nal movement and disengaging said lever from said sear; substantially as described.

1G. In asingle-triggergun the combination of a trigger, two sears, a scar-controller arranged to move after the first barrel has been fired to a position to permit the firing of the remaining barrel, and a yielding retarding device acting upon the scar-controller, substantially as set forth.

17. In a single-trigger gun the combination of a trigger, two sears, a Sear-controller arranged to be released when the first barrel is fired and to move to a position to permit the firing of the second barrel, and a retarding device arranged to act upon the Sear-controller after it has been released and While continuously moving to a position to permit the ring of the second barrel, substantially as set forth.

18. `In a single-trigger gun the combination of a trigger, two sears, a Sear-controller arranged to be released when the first barrel is fired and to move to a position to permit the firing of the second barrel, a spring for moving the Sear-controller, a retarding device connected with the Sear-controller and arranged to reduce, Without stopping, the speed of its movement and means for disconnecting the controller from the retarding device before it has completed its movement, substantially as set forth.

19. In a single-trigger gun,the combination of the trigger, the sears, a scar-controller arranged to be released when the rst barrel is fired and to be moved to a position to permit the firing of the second barrel, and means, acting upon the Sear-controller, arranged to reduce the speed of its movement during the first part of its forward movement and to accelerate its speed during the latter portion of such movement. n

20. Inasingle-trigger-gunlock mechanism, the combination of a pair of sears, a trigger, a scar-controller arranged to be released when the first barrel is tired and to move .to arposition to permit the firing of the second barrel, and a lock for the sear of the barrel last to be fired and arranged to be operated by the Sear-controller.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses, this 29th day of May, 1901.

CHARLES E. DE LONG.

Vitnesses:

. GEORGE BAKEWELL,

F. R. CORNWALL.

IOO 

